Utilities for healthcare
A hospital never closes. Lights, air handling, sterilizers and imaging equipment run through the night, and backup systems are always ready. That pattern shapes the utility bill. This page explains how a utilities review applies to healthcare facilities, from a single clinic to a multi-building campus.
Why utilities matter for healthcare
A building that runs all day has a flat, high load, and its bill depends on how the utility sets charges for peak demand, for the connection itself and for the class of customer. Commercial customers often pay a customer charge, an energy charge and a demand charge. Small errors in the rate class or the meter setup are repeated every month.
Healthcare sites also have features that most offices do not. They often have backup generation, which can bring standby or interconnection charges. Campuses may have steam or chilled water supplied centrally. Hospitals use water for cooling equipment, plumbing fixtures, landscaping and medical process rinses, and sewer charges often follow the water meter.
What a review typically examines
A partner firm compares the bills with the utility's published rates and your account records. For a healthcare site, that usually means:
- Rate class. Whether the facility is billed under the schedule that fits its actual load and use.
- Demand charges. Whether peak readings look reasonable against the equipment on site, for example after a one-time event such as testing of backup systems.
- Standby and backup service. Whether charges for backup supply match the arrangement in place.
- Meters across a campus. Old accounts for buildings that were demolished or merged, and accounts that overlap.
- Water and sewer. Whether sewer charges are applied to water that never enters the sewer, such as irrigation water on a separate meter, where the utility allows it.
- Taxes and surcharges. Whether an exemption you hold is applied on every account. [VERIFY: whether tax exemption treatment of nonprofit hospitals varies by jurisdiction]
Note: Medical gases, oxygen cylinders and similar supplies are usually bought from gas suppliers, not utilities. They may fall under supplier contracts instead. See supplier contract compliance for healthcare.
What to have ready
- Recent utility bills for every account, and a list of accounts by building.
- Utility contracts, tariffs or rate letters, if you have them.
- Account numbers, meter numbers and service addresses.
- A summary of major changes: new wings, closed units, new equipment or backup generators.
- Any supplier agreements for steam, chilled water or on-site energy.
- Contacts in facilities management and finance.
Facilities staff are usually the best source of context. They know what changed on site and when. A short note on each major change, with the approximate date, helps the firm match a shift in the bill to a real event instead of guessing.
Outpatient clinics and medical office buildings have a different pattern from hospitals. Their load follows opening hours, and many are leased, so the bill may be paid by a landlord and passed through. If that applies to you, add the lease so the firm can see how utility costs are allocated.
What happens after you submit a request
A partner firm contacts you after you submit a request. You provide the bills and account details, and the firm reports what it finds. You stay involved when corrections are raised with the utility or supplier. Any fees are agreed with the firm under its own terms.
How matching works
Fairview connects you with a partner firm and performs no review itself. Which firm fits depends on your size. Size decides which firm fits, and Fairview matches each request by hand rather than by a fixed cut-off. Use the larger business form, the smaller business form, or the other form if you are unsure.
An independent partner firm that specializes in utilities handles this work. Fairview Audit makes the match. We do not perform the review ourselves.Who does the work
Frequently asked questions
Does a review help with deregulated energy supply contracts?
It can include them if you buy supply from a retail provider. Scope is agreed with the firm. [CONFIRM: partner industry detail]
Do we need to change how we run backup systems?
No. A review looks at billing and rates, not at operations.
Can small clinics use this?
Yes, though the matching firm may differ from the one for a large campus.
Related pages
Tell us what you need reviewed. We match you by hand with an independent partner firm. You keep your existing vendors.Find out what you are overpaying.